Temporary Tooth Filling
Temporary tooth fillings play an important role in fixing damaged teeth. They are used for many reasons by dentists including root canals or why you wait for a permanent filling. Whatever the reason, it is important to understand what they are and how they work, because they require special care, given their temporary nature. If you have recently received or are going to receive a temporary tooth filling, read on to learn more about them and what you can do to care for them.
What is a temporary tooth filling?
Temporary fillings are non-permanent structures installed into a damaged tooth to restore it. Temporary fillings are, as the name suggests, temporary and are not meant to last a long time. They serve the purpose of serving as a placeholder until a dentist can install a permanent filling that will restore the damaged tooth. While permanent fillings are made from various materials including porcelain, dental amalgam and composite resins, which are made to match the color of natural teeth; temporary fillings are made from much simpler materials such as zinc phosphate cement and glass ionomers. This is because they are not meant to last the life of a tooth.
Why would someone need a temporary filling?
There are many reasons why a dentist might install a temporary filling in a person’s mouth. One of the most common reasons is that the temporary filling is serving as an emergency cavity treatment. If someone has a cavity that is causing sharp pain and needs to be addressed immediately, a dentist may place a temporary filling. A dentist may also use a temporary filling if they don’t have time to put in a permanent filling. Similarly, when someone needs a dental crown to fix the damaged tooth, a temporary filling may be used. While the person waits for the crown to be made, the dentist might use a temporary filling. In these cases, the temporary filling can protect the tooth until the crown is ready.
Temporary fillings are also used as a seal after a root canal. In these cases, the filling seals a hole in the tooth to prevent bacteria from creating any other dental problems. Over time, as it heals, the dentist will replace it with a permanent filling. Another common reason a dentist might use a temporary filling is as a medicated filling for sensitive nerves. In these cases, the filling is medicated and is used to settle down the nerves in a person’s mouth and allow the tooth to heal before a more permanent filling is placed.
Finally, temporary fillings can be used to work on a person’s teeth across several visits. Temporary fillings take less time to place and remove than a permanent filling, which saves time and allows the dentist to do dental work over a few weeks.
What does this mean for me?
Your dentist will let you know if you are a candidate for a temporary filling. If you are a candidate, speak with your dentist to find out more about your situation and how the temporary filling will affect you. They will be able to let you know a time frame for a permanent filling be installed and answer any questions you might have.